Recognizable to millions of people worldwide, Times Square is a destination that every visitor to New York City should see.
As a local tour guide with Tours By Foot NYC and a native New Yorker, I have spent more time in Times Square than I can count.
Like my fellow tour guides, I know just about everything there is to know about this vibrant part of New York City.
One reason we start our Midtown Manhattan tours at Times Square is so our guests can dive into the fast-paced, dynamic vibe of New York City.
After their introduction to the area, I provide my guests with recommendations for other things to do if they return to Times Square after the tour.
In this post, I’ll share what I tell my tour guests including the top things you can do in Times Square and more.
1. Take an Audio Tour
If you want to be led through Times Square with in-depth commentary, rather than reading about it in advance and trying to remember what to see, try our audio tour.
The audio tour is based on all of our guides' knowledge of Times Square.
It’s a fun way to learn about the area anytime you want.
Listen to this sample.
Here is how it works:
- Purchase the Times Square audio tour
- Get a confirmation email with .mp3, .pdf, and embeddable Google Map
- Enjoy the tour!
Our Times Square audio tour is one of 15 NYC audio tours available for download, including one for all of Midtown Manhattan.
In this video, my fellow tour guide Katherine takes you on a virtual walk through Times Square.
2. Soak in the Amazing New York City Energy
Times Square is one of the best places to absorb the incredible energy of NYC.
I always bring friends visiting NYC for the first time to Times Square and for some, it’s a shock to the system.
But they love seeing it since they’ve never seen anything like it before and many of my tour guests have told me the same thing.
One of the best things to do in Times Square is to sit down on the famous red TKTS steps and watch the world rush by.
You may love it or you may hate it, but there is no denying that Times Square is something special.
The buzz is even more when the sun sets and the lights shine so brightly.
Visiting Times Square after dark is one of the most exciting things to do at night in NYC.
3. See a Broadway Show
It's hard to imagine Times Square without all its Broadway show theaters, with their brightly-lit marquees.
If you want to see a show but are concerned about the cost of tickets don't be!
Several of us guides at Tours By Foot NYC who love going to the theater know multiple ways to get inexpensive tickets.
Our favorite discount opportunities are getting Rush tickets, entering ticket lotteries, and buying tickets at the TKTS ticket booth under the red staircase in Times Square at W. 47th Street and Broadway.
Our post, How to Get Cheaper Broadway Tickets, lists more ways to save big on shows, along with tips from our guides.
Find out which are the best Broadway shows to see right now from tour guide Katherine, our resident Broadway show expert! She sees just about all of them!
4. Experience the Midnight Moment
Every night from 11:57 pm to midnight, you can witness the world’s largest digital art exhibition.
Over 90 billboards in Times Square are synchronized to show the same work of digital art.
The result is three incredible minutes of being surrounded by imagery that is innovative, imaginative and often whimsical.
The best place to stand for the full experience is in the Broadway pedestrian plazas between W. 45th and W. 47th Streets.
Each month a new artist’s work is shown. See the schedule here.
You may be wondering if Times Square is safe at that time of night.
For the most part, yes. At midnight there are still plenty of people exiting Broadway shows.
Plus, there is a good police presence in the area.
I’m quite comfortable there at midnight but, then again, I am a long-time local.
I suggest you pay close attention to your surroundings, don’t engage with strangers keep your bags closed and your money out of sight and you should be fine.
Check out our post on staying safe in New York City.
5. Hug a Beloved Cartoon Character
Say hello to Buzz Lightyear, hug Elmo, and say thanks to superheroes, like Spiderman, who keep NYC safe!
Some other favorite characters are Hello Kitty, Minnie Mouse, Dora the Explorer, and more.
Yes, I know, some people joke about these life-size cartoon characters being too friendly, if you know what I mean.
I have never found this to be the case.
On my tours of Times Square, none of my guests has ever reported a negative interaction.
An important must-know fact is that these performers do not work for NYC. All they earn are the tips they receive.
So if you want a photograph with one of them, be sure to have a few dollar bills handy to tip them.
Otherwise, you may find yourself face-to-face with a disgruntled Cookie Monster.
6. See Your Favorite Celebrities
See your favorite stars -- in wax, that is!
Madame Tussauds, the world-famous wax figure attraction has over 200 wax figures of A-list stars, sports legends, superstar musicians, world leaders and more.
I have heard from some tour guests that Madame Tussauds in London is better, but hey, you're in New York City, so it is better than nothing, right?
Actually, there are a lot of figures and they are pretty darn life-like.
Some are better than others, but what is very cool is you can pose with them.
My favorite part is being a guest on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon! Want to be part of a live studio audience for the show? Find out how below.
The Marvel Super Hero 4D ultra-sensory superhero film is fantastic.
Madame Tussauds is at 234 W. 42nd St between 7th and 8th Avenue. Find how to get cheap tickets for Madame Tussauds.
Money-saving tip: This attraction is included free with the purchase of most NYC tourist concession passes and several bus company combo tickets.
7. See the Naked Cowboy
This infamous Times Square entertainer is dressed in only tighty-whities that cover his private parts, cowboy boots, and a cowboy hat.
His name is Robert John Burck and you find him in the area playing country tunes on a guitar and posing for photos with people.
He's a pretty nice guy and so many of my tour guests had fun interactions with him so look out for him!
For the story of how this simple dude from California became a New York icon, see our post about the Naked Cowboy.
8. Relax at a Rooftop Bar
Times Square has some awesome rooftop bars and lounges where you sip on cocktails and take in great views of the lights on Broadway.
Many of these are inside hotels, but you don't need to be a guest to enjoy their rooftops.
My favorite is the St. Cloud rooftop at the famed Knickerbocker Hotel, one of several landmarks in Times Square.
Some others are:
- Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge at the Moxy
- Bar 54 at Hyatt Centric
- cloudM at citizenM
- Haven Rooftop at Sanctuary
- 5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar at Margaritaville Resort
- Dear Irving on Hudson at Aliz Hotel
- The Terrace at Times Square EDITION
- High Bar New York at DoubleTree By Hilton Times Square West
If you want to skip the drink and enjoy a spectacular view, see our post, Best New York Skyline Views.
9. Attend a Live Taping of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
NYC has a lot of free TV tapings, including The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
The show taping goes from around 5:30 pm to 7 pm. For information on how to get tickets, click here.
I've been to several live tapings and it is always a good time. See what other free TV tapings you can join.
The theater is on Broadway between W. 53rd and W. 54th Streets.
Fun fact: Taping takes place in this historic Ed Sullivan Theater built in the 1920s. This is where The Beatles made their breakthrough performance.
10. Be a Kid in a Candy Shop
Chocolate lovers, Times Square is the place for you!
Two of America's favorite candies have giant stores here, Hershey's Chocolate World and the M&M's World Store.
Hershey’s World has interactive games, free samples, and an opportunity to see chocolate being made!
The M&M store of course sells all the varieties of candy that “melts in your mouth, not in your hand”.
What’s better is that shoppers can customize a personal batch of M&M's with an image and personalized messages to be printed on candies in about two minutes.
Tour guests who ask where to go for NYC souvenirs, I tell them that for something unique, get customized M&Ms with the "I Love NY".
M&M's Store is at 1600 Broadway at W. 48th Street and Hershey’s Chocolate World is at 701 Seventh Avenue between W. 47th and W. 48th Streets.
11. Rock Out at the Hard Rock Cafe
Whether you are a rock ‘n’ roll die-hard or just looking for a cool environment for delicious food and drinks, the Hard Rock Cafe at Times Square will not disappoint.
From the minute you walk past the wall of guitars, you’ll be surrounded by rock 'n' roll memorabilia from The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, Elvis Presley and many more.
The Hard Rock Cafe is at 1501 Broadway at W. 43rd Street.
Over my years giving tours, I’ve had many guests tell me that staying at the nearby Hard Rock Hotel was worth every cent.
It might be for you! I love their pool.
12. Take the Kids to the New Victory Theater
If you are traveling with children, check out the New Victory, New York City's first and only full-time performing arts theater for kids and families.
They have a full show calendar with a rotating array of plays, circus acts, dancing, puppets, and more.
Performance listings indicate the age group the show is best suited for.
New Victory has shows for 2 to 4 years old, 5 to 7 years old and 8 years old and up.
When my nieces were younger, I brought them here.
They giggled a lot and I found shows enjoyable which can't always be said for children’s entertainment.
However, by the time they hit ages 10 and 8, they weren't so into the shows at the New Victory. It all depends on what is playing.
The New Victory is at 209 W. 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues.
For more ideas, read our post What to Do with Kids in New York City.
13. Discover the Delights of Off-Broadway Shows
One of the most underrated things to do in Times Square is to see an Off-Broadway show.
What distinguishes Broadway from Off-Broadway theaters is just how many seats in the theater.
Five hundred seats and up gets you the Broadway billing.
Theaters with houses between 99 and 499 seats are Off-Broadway.
Don't let the categorization make you think these shows are of lesser quality than Broadway shows.
On the contrary, some Off-Broadway shows can be every bit as good as a Broadway production and less expensive too!
Whenever my tour guests ask me about shows to see and how to save on tickets, I always tell them to look into Off-Broadway shows.
Learn more about Off-Broadway shows here.
14. Experience the Story of Broadway
The Museum of Broadway opened in 2022 and it’s a unique addition to the NYC museum scene.
Its mission is to convey Broadway’s story through immersive exhibits to engage audiences.
The museum is geared toward being educational but also entertaining. It’s suitable for all ages.
It's an immersive experience with dazzling displays of Broadway “artifacts” (costumes, maps, sheet music, etc) from 500 productions dating back to the 1700s!
I'm not a Broadway aficionado, but still, this museum that brings visitors to the crossroads of creativity and history engaged me a lot.
The museum is open every day from 10 am to 10 pm and will make an excellent add-on to your night at the theater!
Timed tickets are $39 and Flexible tickets are $49. The Museum of Broadway is at 145 West 45th Street.
15. Laugh at a Comedy Club
Though Times Square is not as filled with comedy clubs as it was a decade ago, there are two clubs I highly recommend.
Broadway Comedy Club features at least four nationally known headliners for a performance that lasts from 90 minutes to two hours.
I have never been disappointed here.
Another, Stand Up NY, is a bit on the expensive side, but the atmosphere is intimate and the line-up features fresh faces on the comedy scene.
If you are on a budget like me, you can see free and cheap comedy shows, though there is no funniness guarantee.
See our post on affordable comedy shows.
16. Celebrate New Year's Eve
If you happen to be in New York City on December 31, you can take part in the world-famous Times Square New Year's Eve festivities.
My fellow guides and I have each watched the ball drop in Times Square at least once. It’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Before and after midnight there are star-studded musical performances and more than one ton of confetti is dropped onto Times Square!
Find out about watching the ball drop and how to spend New Year's Eve in Times Square.
17. Go Bowling
Maybe bowling isn’t on your list of must-dos in NYC, if you decide you want a light night of fun with the locals, Bowlero Times Square is a good choice.
It has 48 bowling lanes, an arcade, billiards, and lounge areas that are New York City-themed.
You can bowl, dine, and chill out in a ‘speakeasy’, Chinatown, Central Park, or Coney Island without leaving Times Square!
Bowlero is also a good place to go if you are a night owl like me since it is open late.
It's open Sundays to Thursdays from 2:00 pm - 12:00 am and Fridays and Saturdays 2:00 pm - 2:00 am.
Bowlero is at 222 W. 44th St bet 8th Avenue and Broadway.
18. Take a Horse and Carriage Ride
See Times Square from a unique vantage point -- from the seat of a horse-drawn carriage!
Horse and carriage rides aren't exclusive to Central Park.
Some rides have expanded itineraries that include Times Square.
There is at least one tour that covers Times Square, Central Park and Rockefeller Center.
19. Browse the Colorful Midtown Comics Store
Midtown Comics is a humongous comic book and toy marketplace!
Comic book lovers can buy new releases and find vintage issues.
They also sell graphic novels, sci-fi books, and collectibles.
I’m not a huge comics fan but I have popped in from time to time and got a kick out of seeing decades of superheroes, some I’ve never heard of!
Midtown Comics is at 200 W. 40th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues.
They have two other locations, one by Grand Central Terminal at 459 Lexington Avenue (corner of 45th St.).
The other is in Lower Manhattan at 64 Fulton Street (corner of Gold St.).
20. Hear Live Music at the Historic Town Hall
Town Hall's auditorium opened in 1921 and was intended as a space for political dialogue, lectures, and speech-making.
It soon morphed into a music venue and today it is one of NYC’s very best places to see a concert.
The venue is a historic landmark known for its beautiful Georgian Revival design.
Its architects, the renowned firm of McKim, Mead & White also designed part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Washington Arch in Washington Square Park, among others.
While I love history, I also love seeing live events like concerts, book readings, panel discussions, and more. Town Hall gets some seriously top-notch performers and personalities.
Town Hall is on 123 West 43rd Street between Broadway and Sixth Avenue.
21. Shop for All Things Disney
At this huge Disney store, you can find the latest official Disney merchandise, such as toys, collectibles, stuffed animals, and more.
You can also shop for Disney clothing for kids and adults.
They also sell cosplay and costumes for Baby Yoda to Spider-Man, Captain America, Black Panther and other characters.
The Disney store stays open late (until 9 pm seven days a week), as do many Times Square shops.
Don't let time curtail your retail therapy!
The Disney Store is at 1540 Broadway at W. 45th Street.
See our list of where to go shopping in Times Square below.
22. Dine on Restaurant Row
Restaurant Row (West 46th Street between 8th and 9th Avenue) has over 20 long-time restaurants that cater to Broadway showgoers who want to dine just before heading to the theater.
Many restaurants on Restaurant Row offer pre-theater Prix-Fixe menus at reasonable prices and are timed to get you to your show on time.
You can also dine for lunch or dinner. Restaurant Row is always buzzing!
Two restaurants whose Prix-Fixe menus I have enjoyed on many occasions are Becco and Le Rivage.
Becco was founded by celebrity chef Lidia Bastianich.
It has a daily freshly made pasta-tasting menu that’s innovative and filling for $34.95.
At Le Rivage, you can get a classic French pre-theater meal for $70 between 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
There’s also a lunch pre-fixe for $46.
Read here for more Restaurant Row listings.
23. Play an Escape Room
Ever heard of the 1981 sci-fi movie Escape from New York? Well, now you can escape IN New York!
If you aren't familiar with escape rooms, they are immersive adventure games where a group is ‘locked’ in a room and must solve a series of clue-based puzzles to escape before time runs out!
OMEscape is great for groups of friends and families. Some themes are appropriate for kids as well.
OMEscape is at 325 W. 38th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues.
It is open from 11 am to 11 pm every day.
24. Hear a Gospel Choir
While the best Gospel services take place in Harlem (and I encourage you to look into going to one), you can hear some of this inspirational music in Times Square.
The Times Square Church is a lesser-known church that happens to have a fantastic choir.
It's located at 237 W. 51st Street at the corner of Broadway.
25. Play Arcade Games
The national chain, Dave and Busters, has a location in Times Square that is part arcade, part sports bar, and part restaurant.
Enjoy American food, signature cocktails, and loads of games.
You can also catch your favorite sporting event on massive HDTVs with stadium-quality surround sound.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS
All these iconic New York City sights are within walking distance of Times Square.
Rockefeller Center
This art deco city within a city is three full city blocks from W. 48th Street to W. 51st Street between 5th and 6th Avenues.
It's well known for its giant Christmas tree and ice skating rink.
But there is so much more to Rockefeller Center like its fascinating history and its striking artwork, sculptures, and architecture.
Read more about visiting Rockefeller Center.
Skyscraper Observation Decks
There are five observation decks in NYC and three of them are within walking distance from Times Square.
- Empire State Building
- Top of the Rock
- SUMMIT
The closest is the Top of the Rock observation deck at Rockefeller Center between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue.
Read our post comparing New York City's observation decks to see which is the best one for you.
Grand Central Terminal
Within four blocks of Times Square is one of the most beautiful landmarks in all of New York City, Grand Central Terminal (a.k.a. Grand Central Station).
You can visit on your own or on one of several tours. Read more here.
Bryant Park
Located just one block from Times Square is Bryant Park, a large oasis of green in the heart of Midtown.
There are tons of fantastic free things to do there all year round.
Read our post on things to do in Bryant Park to find out what's going on when you are in town.
New York Public Library
Just next to Bryant Park is the Beaux-Arts masterpiece, the New York Public Library's main branch building.
You can take free tours of the inside to see its cavernous, elegant reading rooms and its ceiling murals.
Of course, you can see historic books and manuscripts as well. Find out more here.
A few blocks north of Times Square is one of the best modern art museums in the world, the Museum of Modern Art.
If you are considering going to one of NYC's museums, MoMA should not be missed!
WHERE TO EAT IN AND AROUND TIMES SQUARE
Times Square has so many dining options here are some organized by price range.
Cheap ($5-10 per person)
Los Tacos No. 1 - 229 W 43rd St. between 7th Ave and 8th Ave. Rated the top tacos in NYC. Also serves quesadillas and tostadas.
Shake Shack - 691 8th Ave at 44th St. Counter service at this location of the national chain of the best burgers in the city.
Chipotle - 129 W 48th St bet. 6th & 7th Aves. Fast-food Mexican chain with space to sit down.
Patzeria Pizza - 231 W 46th St. bet. 7th Ave. & Broadway. Real New York pizza by the slice. To go only.
Bagel Shops - One of the cheapest, filling foods you can get are bagels. New York City makes them better than anywhere else. See our post in Best Bagels in Times Square.
Inexpensive ($10-20 per person)
Schnippers - 20 8th Ave bet. 40th & 41st Sts. American diner classics, sandwiches, soups, and salads.
Dallas BBQ - 241 W 42nd St between 7th and 8th Ave. Ribs, burgers, seafood, salads and a kids menu.
Pret A Manger - 62 West 45th St between 6th and 7th Ave. Freshly made packaged sandwiches and pastries along with coffee and other beverages
Times Square Diner - 807 8th Ave bet. 48th & 49th Sts. Hundreds of choices are served 24 hours a day.
Moderate ($20-40 per person)
Toloache - 251 W 50th St bet 8th Ave. & Broadway. Festive environment with traditional Mexican food.
John's Pizzeria - 260 West 44th St bet. 7th & 8th Aves. Great coal-oven pizza. Served by the pie only. Fun for families.
Carmine's - 200 West 44th St bet. 7th & 8th Aves. Italian-American cuisine in large family-style portions.
Virgil's - 152 West 44th St. bet. Broadway and 6th Ave. Huge portions of savory barbeque. Reservations recommended.
Expensive ($50 and above per person)
Hunt & Fish Club - 125 W 44th St. bet Broadway & 7th Ave. New American, Steakhouse. Elegant decor, and delicious food.
Butter Midtown -135 W 42nd St bet. 6th Ave & Broadway. American cuisine mastered by Food Network star and Executive Chef Alex Guarnaschelli.
Sushi by Bou - 132 W 47th St bet. 7th Ave & 6th Ave (in The Sanctuary Hotel). Incredible, super fresh sushi served in a 'speakeasy-style basement hideaway.
WHERE TO SHOP IN TIMES SQUARE
Stores in Times Square stay open quite late. Most are open until 10 pm, and some are open until midnight!
Clothing (Unisex)
- H&M - 4 Times Sq at W 42nd St.
- Superdry - 729 7th Ave at W 49th St.
- Gap - 1466 Broadway at W 42nd St.
- American Eagle Outfitters - 1551-1555 Broadway at W 46th St.
- NHL Store Powered by Reebok - 1185 6th Ave. bet W 46th & W 47th sts.
- Forever 21 Mega Store - 1540 Broadway b/t W 45th & 46th St
- Levi's Times Square - 1501 Broadway
- Old Navy 1514 Broadway at W 45th
- Pele Soccer - 1560 Broadway between 46th and 47th St
Footwear & Sneakers
- Aldo - 120 W 42nd St b/t 7th and 8th Ave
- Steve Madden - 3 Times Square at 7th Avenue
- Foot Locker - 146 Broadway between W41st St and W42nd St.
For the Kids
- M&M's World - 1600 Broadway at 48th Street
- Disney Store - 1540 Broadway bet. W 45th & 46th Sts
- Midtown Comics - 200 West 40th Street near 7th Ave
Click here for even more shops in the area.
WHERE TO STAY IN TIMES SQUARE
You’ll find a wide range of room prices and a variety of hotel styles. Some hotels have rooftop bars with great views.
While it is true that the neighborhood is not as pretty as others, it is a one-of-a-kind atmosphere!
Below are the top picks for where to stay in Times Square.
And check out our post on how to choose the best place to stay in NYC.
Recommended Hotels
Budget
- Row NYC at Times Square
- Hotel Edison Times Square
- Hilton Garden Inn Times Square
Mid-Range
- M Social Hotel Times Square New York
- citizenM New York Times Square
- Riu Plaza New York Times Square
Expensive
- Arlo Midtown
- New York Marriott Marquis
- Knickerbocker
TIPS FROM LOCALS AND TRAVELERS
I've told you about what you can do, but I felt you should hear from other locals and also people who are new to Times Square.
Below are thoughts about Times Square from members of our popular New York Travel Tips Facebook group.
I should say that Times Square gets a bad rap from many New Yorkers. (Not all of us feel this way!)
When we asked our Facebook group members if they had any pleasant surprises in Times Square, they had some lovely things to say!
This traveler from Ireland found that people in Times Square were much nicer than she had expected while another found that the bad reputation isn't deserved!
This local New Yorker loves that you never know what you will see in Times Square -- it's brand new every day!
So what are some specific things group members like about Times Square?
One of the top pleasant surprises was… The Naked Cowboy.
People are mesmerized by the incredible lights and energy that make Times Square an unforgettable place.
Some visitors thrive so much on the energy they choose to stay in Times Square.
In fact, Times Square has some of the best accommodations in the city. It’s right in the middle of everything and convenient to other parts of the city.
I won't go so far as to say you should explore Times Square at off-hours, here are some group members who have had special moments there.
If you have more questions about Times Square (or anything else about NYC) that we haven't covered here, check out our New York Travel Tips Facebook group!
A BRIEF HISTORY
I love history, especially that of my hometown. If you are like me, read on.
Long before it was Times Square, it was Longacre Square, a rural area used for horse stables.
Try to imagine. It ain't easy though amidst the massive billboards!
In the early 1900s, the area began a rapid transformation from rural to urban as companies moved uptown from Lower Manhattan.
In 1904, The New York Times moved its headquarters here from downtown and the intersection at 42nd Street and Longacre Square was renamed Times Square.
Times Square quickly became a cultural hub full of theaters, music halls, and upscale hotels, although it changed for the worse during the Great Depression years as these venues closed down.
By the 1960s and 1970s, pornographic theaters and drug dealers dominated the area.
Watch the classic movie Midnight Cowboy to see what it was like!
Most New Yorkers like me stayed away from the neighborhood other than to see Broadway shows.
In the mid-1990s, the city funded a massive effort to "clean up" the area, moving the bad elements out and bringing in tourist-friendly attractions and heightened security.
Great hotels, restaurants and shops opened up and Times Square's billboards never shined so brightly.
Today, Times Square is known around the world for its bright lights and fast-paced pulse visited by an estimated 50 million tourists every year.
WHERE IS TIMES SQUARE?
One of the first things I tell my tour guests about Times Square is that is NOT a square!
It's a bowtie where Broadway and 7th Avenue intersect, bounded by W. 41st Street on the south and W. 47th Street to the north.
But to New Yorkers, Times Square is a rectangle like in the map below.
It stretches north to south from W, 40th St. to roughly W. 52nd St. and east to west from 8th Avenue to 6th Avenue.
Times Square is super easy to get to from just about any subway line in New York City.
By Subway:
- A/C/E to 42 Street Station
- F/M/B/D to 47-50 Sts - Rockefeller Ctr Station
- N/WR to 49 Street Station
- 1 to 50 Street Station
- C/E to 50 Street Station
- 1/2/3/7/S to Times Sq - 42 Street Station
Use this Google map to get exact directions from your starting point to Times Square.
If you are new to NYC public transportation, check out our guides on navigating the subway and choosing the right MetroCard.
By Bus:
- Uptown/Downtown: M5, M7, M104, M20
- Crosstown: M42, M50
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